President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (January 12), that efforts to impeach him are causing "tremendous anger" throughout the United States.
House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment against Trump for "incitement of insurrection" following last week's breach of the US Capitol.
Per CNN, the pro-Trump protestors attempted to obstruct the counting of the electoral college votes to affirm Joe Biden's victory in the US 2020 Presidential Election.
The outlet also states that the breach of the Capitol delayed the process of affirming Biden's impending presidency as the House and Senate were forced to find shelter when the riots broke out.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House before heading to the US-Mexico border in Texas, the outgoing president dismissed plans of his impeachment by House Democrats as "ridiculous".
"As far as this is concerned, we want no violence. Never violence," Trump said. "On the impeachment, it’s really a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in the history of politics. It’s ridiculous. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
"This impeachment is causing tremendous anger, and you're doing it, and it’s really a terrible thing that they’re doing," he added.
"Free speech is under assault like never before. The 25th Amendment is of zero risk to me, but will come back to haunt Joe Biden and the Biden administration. As the expression goes, 'Be careful what you wish for,'" he continued.
"The impeachment hoax is a continuation of the greatest and most vicious witch hunt in the history of our country, and is causing tremendous anger and division and pain, far greater than most people will ever understand, which is very dangerous for the U.S.A., especially at this very tender time."
As reported by Reuters, Trump urged his supporters to attend Wednesday's rally in DC, the day the US House of Representatives and Senate were set to affirm Joe Biden's election win. He then told them to walk to the Capitol "to fight."
Four civilians and one Capitol police officer died amid the chaos, per Reuters.
Per the BBC, calls for Trump's removal from office have grown among Democrats and some Republicans alike.
A vote to impeach Trump will take place today, (January 13). It would then move to the Senate for trial, with senators assuming roles as jurors.
While there is little time to impeach Trump before he leaves office in a week, the Senate would still be able to prevent him from running for office ever again.
Trump's term ends on January 20, when Joe Biden will be sworn in.